Polish Air Force Operations Record Books 1940-1947

1942-09-01

DALE

F/L [Illegible letter] SKOROBOHATY arrived from No. 18 O.T.U., BRAMCOTE, on posting for flying duties (pilot).

1942-09-02

DALE

While on anti-submarine patrol, Wellington aircraft HF894, captained by F/O M. KUCHARSKI, sighted a fully-surfaced U-boat which was attacked, while still on the s urface, with six depth charges. Several of the crew were machine-gunned on the deck and were seen to fall into the water. Others dived into the sea. Further attacks were carried out by A/S bombs. When the aircraft left the scene the U-boat was down by the bows, with a definite list to port. Five other aircraft operated on this patrol.

1942-09-03

DALE

A signal from Air Ministry reported that a capture card had been received from P/O W MISNIAKIEWICZ from STAMMLAGER LUFT. III. P/O Misniakiewicz was missing from operations on the night of 12th April, 1942. F/O TOSIO arrived on posting for duties with the Engineer Officer from the School of Aeronautical Engineering, HENLOW. Sgt. F. SZCZUTKOWSKI, Interpreter, left on posting to the Polish Secondary School, GLASGOW, for a special course.

1942-09-04

DALE

An encounter with two Ju. 88’s was experienced by Wellington aircraft R.1413 (Captain – S/L B. NOWICKI) while carrying out an anti-submarine patrol. One of the enemy aircraft made off after hits had been scored on it with the port engine smoking, and hits were also registered on the second enemy aircraft in each of five attacks. This aircraft also made off toward the French coast with smoke coming from the starboard engine. The only damage to the Wellington was about seven bullet holes in the rear turret. None of the crew was injured. Altogether six Squadron aircraft were engaged on the patrol. The Engineer Officer, F/O F. FIJALKOWSKI, met the Group Engineer Officer, S/L CLARKE, at R.A.F. Station, TALBENNY.

1942-09-05

DALE

F/Sgt. BUKOWSKI arrived on posting from the Polish Aircrew Training Centre, HUCKNALL, for Flight Sergeant Discip. duties.

1942-09-06

DALE

Seven aircraft operated on an anti-submarine patrol, one of which, captained by F/O A NOWICKI, exchanged fire with a Ju. 88, but no hits were registered on either side. Night flying training was carried out at TALBENNY.

1942-09-07

DALE

F/L C KRAJEWSKI, Defence Officer, proceeded to STANNINGTON for No. 61 Junior Administrative Course. One crew was detailed for an anti-submarine strike operation but landed at R.A.F. Station, VALLEY, without having sighted any enemy vessel.

1942-09-08

DALE

Five aircraft were engaged on an anti-submarine sweep. Bombing practice was carried out.

1942-09-09

DALE

Two crews took part in an exercise with a Polish submarine off PLYMOUTH, and other crew[Illegible letter] were engaged on bombing practi[Illegible letter]ce. F/O S M TARGOWSKI, (Pilot) arrived on posting from No. 18 O.T.U. for flying duties.

1942-09-10

DALE

The award of the following decorations to Squadron personnel was announced:
VIRTUTI MILITARI: F/O F KRYSZCZUK, F/O J T PRAZMOWSKI, P/O A KACZKOWSKI, Sgt E. JONSKI, Sgt. J JUK, SGT E MALICKI, Sgt E SKWARZYNSKI, Sgt S WIECKOWSKI, Sgt L BONK, Sgt L JABLONSKI.

CROSS OF VALOUR
(Second Bar) S/L J T BUCZMA, F/O F KRYSZCZUK, F/O T SKARZYNSKI, P/O J WROBLEWSKI, Sgt T KAMYSZEK, Sgt M OMIELJASZKO (posthumous), Sgt M RZEWUSKI, Sgt J TRUSZKOWSKI, Sgt S WIECKOWSKI, Sgt J WOJTAS, Sgt C ZAWADA, Sgt E GAGALA, Sgt R GEMSA, Sgt L [Illegible letter]ABLONSKI, Sgt K KRAJEWSKI, Sgt Z SASAL, Sgt N TALACH (posthumous).

CROSS OF VALOUR
(First & Second Bars) F/O M KUCHARSKI, Sgt J WOJTOWICZ.

CROSS OF VALOUR
(1st 2nd & 3rd Bars) F/O W KONARZEWSKI, Sgt T JASINSKI.

CROSS OF VALOUR
(First Bar) F/O Z GALCZYNSKI, F/O A KAUCZ, Sgt MLYNARSKI, E., P/O A ZIELINSKI (posthumous), F/S R TYDMAN, F/S J WANCISIEWICZ, Sgt J BAKANACZ, Sgt S JOZEFIAK, Sgt M PIEKARSKI, Sgt W SULIKOWSKI, Sgt B KOCYK, Sgt H KUC (posthumous), Sgt R MACHNIOWSKI, Sgt S ZESKO.

CROSS OF VALOUR
(and First Bar) Sgt L MATJASZEK, Sgt J ROGALA-SOBIESZCZANSKI, Sgt M STRACZEK.

CROSS OF VALOUR F/O M PRONASZKO, P/O A KRAJEWSKI, F/O A NOWICKI, F/O S WIDANKA, P/O J KRAMIN (posthumous), Sgt S KOZLOWSKI, Sgt L GIBAS, Sgt W MLYNARSKI.

SILVER CROSS OF MERIT F/L S MILEWSKI

BRONZE CROSS OF MERIT F/S M PIETROWSKI, Sgt M ZIPSER, Cpl. Z WALAS, LAC S KACZMAREK, LAC F SZCZUTKOWSKI, Cpl. J WATOR, LAC [Illegible letter] M ZIELINSKI.

Representatives of the Squadron visited No. 307 (Polish)Squadron, R.A.F. Station, EXETER, for their Birthday Celebrations. F/O KRAWCZYK arrived on posting for flying duties (pilot) from R.A.F. Polish Depot, BLACKPOOL. F/O W KONARZEWSKI and F/O S ZUREK visited Headquarters, No. 19 Group. W/O SUTERSKI left on posting to the Polish School of Technical Training for Discip. duties. The body of Sgt. TYCHOLYS, lost with P/O A ZIELINSKI’S crew on 20th August, 1942, was recovered near TREADDUR BAY, ANGLESEY. A programme of bombing practice was carried out. Seven crews were detailed for anti-submarine patrol.

1942-09-11

DALE

Group Captain W MAKOWSKI, Polish Air Force Liaison Officer, Bomber Command, visited the Station for discussions with the Squadron Commanding Officer. F/O R GLUSKI proceeded to No. 1 Air Armament School, MANBY, for the Bombing Leaders’ Course. F/O T SKARZYNSKI was appointed to carry out Duty Pilot duties for the Squadron. An International Red Cross Committee message quoted German reports that on 29th April, 1942, F/O R SZCZUROWSKI, F/O KOWALSKI, F/S PIECZYNSKI, Sgt W GARBACZ and Sgt S FERENC were found dead near DUNKIRK.

1942-09-12

DALE

F/O S OWSIANKA, Armament Officer, returned to the Squadron on completion of a refresher course at No. 1 Air Armament School, MANBY, and F/O J WOLNIK on completion of a Bombing Leaders’ Course. F/O SZKUTA arrived from R.A.F. Polish Depot, BLACKPOOL, on posting for observer duties. Six aircraft were engaged on a shipping strike, the target being an ALTMARK type German tanker.

1942-09-13

DALE

Intimation was received that Cpl. J KRZYWONOS had been granted a commission as Pilot Officer in the Signals branch.

1942-09-14

DALE

An anti-submarine patrol was carried out by seven aircraft. P/O A GURA was appointed officer in charge of Squadron Photography. F/O M KUCHARSKI left on posting to No. 300 (Polish) Squadron, HEMSWELL.

1942-09-15

DALE

The following message was received from the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Coastal Command:
From the end of July to the end of September, [Illegible], a small number of highly-trained and well-disciplined pilots and ground staff together fought the Battle of Britain to a successful conclusion against a numerically superior and very efficient enemy. On this day, when we celebrate the most crushing single defeat which the Luftwaffe has suffered, let us remember these few who conquered so gloriously. Let us endeavour to deserve the security and liberty which they achieved for us, and by putting these gifts to the best use to accomplish final victory.
Sgt J BURCHARD and Sgt S ZIELINSKI were posted to No. 305 (Polish) and No. 300 (Polish) Squadrons respectively on cessation of attachment from the Squadron to R.A.F. Polish Depot, BLACKPOOL. The body of F/O L WASILEWSKI, a member of P/O A ZIELINSKI’S crew lost at sea off ANGLESEY on 20th August, 1942, was recovered near TREADDUR BAY.

1942-09-16

DALE

Attacked in turn by six Ju 88 aircraft while on patrol, Wellington HF836, the crew of which consisted of F/O S M TARGOWSKI, Sgt Z KOWALEWICZ, F/O W MINAKOWSKI, Sgt Z PIECHOWIAK, Sgt W MLYNARSKI and Sgt [Illegible letter] KUBACIK, shot down one of the attackers into the sea and all the remaining five were hit by machine-gun fire. Large pieces were seen to break off the tailplane of one of the five, which broke off combat and made off with thick black smoke coming from one of the engines. After a combat lasting from 12 to 15 minutes, the Wellington climbed into cloud and evaded further attack. Despite a considerable number of holes caused by the fire of the enemy aircraft, the Wellington made a successful flight back to this country and landed safely at PORTREATH. Six other Squadron aircraft participated in the patrol.

1942-09-17

DALE

The Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Coastal Command, signalled as follows on the encounter between Wellington HF836 and six Ju 88’s the previous day: “Please convey my congratulations to the Captain and aircrew of E/304 on their engagement with six Ju. 88’s on 16/9. All concerned made a fine showing against far greater numbers and scored a notable success in bringing down one, probably two, of the enemy aircraft”. From the Air Officer Commanding, No. 19 Group, congratulations came in these terms: “Well done, E/304! Your spi[Illegible letter]ited and skilful defence reacted on the enemy to some tune”. F/O T JASKOLSKI arrived on a three-day visit from the Royal Aeronautical Establishment, FARNBOROUGH, for discussions with the Squadron technical officers. F/S Z KOMORNICKI returned on completion of a Gunnery Leaders’ Course at the Central Gunnery School.

1942-09-18

DALE

The interment took place at NEWARK of F/O L WASILEWSKI and Sgt TYCHOLYS.

1942-09-19

DALE

A telegram was received reporting that Sgt B WOZNIAK, a member of F/O J MORAWSKI’S crew, was safe and had reached GIBRALTAR. Of the crew of five, all are now known to be safe — three in this country and one, Sgt. LIPSKI, a prisoner.

1942-09-20

DALE

The following new crew arrived form No. 18 O.T.U., BRAMCOTE: Sgt. J [Illegible] Z (Pilot), F/O W LISIECKI (Observer), Sgt W DROZDZEWSKI (W/Op. A.G.), Sgt W SOWINSKI and Sgt R LEDOCHOWSKI (A.G.s).

1942-09-21

DALE

F/S WALCZYNSKI was appointed N.C.O. in charge of Maintenance personnel remaining at DALE (the main party of Maintenance Flight having being transferred to TALBENNY, with W/O ZIETEK in charge).

1942-09-22

DALE

An assessment from the Air Staff of Headquarters, Coastal Command, of the attack carried out on a U-boat on 2nd September by F/O M KUCHARSKI observed: “An excellent attack which undoubtedly caused damage and brought the U-boat upstanding. It was, however, not lethal, as the subsequent history of this U-boat is known. The Captain and aircrew of A/304 are to be congratulated on this action, which they carried out with determination, and which has led the U-boat to seek shelter in a netural port”. A visit was paid to the Squadron by the Group Photographic Officer.

1942-09-23

DALE

Awards of the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS to S/L K CZETOWICZ, Squadron Commanding Officer, and the DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL to F/S J APANASEWICZ and F/S J ADAMCZYK [Illegible word] announced. In addition the D.F.C. was awarded to the former Squadron Commanding Officer, W/C S POZIOMEK, and to F/L J ISZKOWSKI, now at No. 18 O.T.U., BRAMCOTE, and the D.F.M. to F/S M BERGNER and F/S J SZANTROCH, all for services rendered with No. 304 (Polish) Squadron. F/O A ONOSZKO proceeded to R.A.F. Station, HAMWORTHY, on attachment to No. 461 Squadron.

1942-09-24

DALE

Promotion to the rank of Flight Lieutenant, with effect from 1st July, 1942, of Sgt E JONSKI and Sgt S SEP-SZARZYNSKI was promulgated. Nine aircraft were engaged on anti-submarine patrols. That captained by Sgt J BAKANACZ had an encounter with two Ju. 88’s. No damage was suffered by the Wellington, but both enemy aircraft were hit, and one turned over and dived into the sea. F/O J MORAWSKI, who was shot down with his crew over France on the night of 12th April, 1942, was flying in this aircraft during a visit paid to the Squadron while on leave following his return to this country.

1942-09-25

DALE

Sgt H GOLEBIOWSKI, Sgt S KOZLOWSKI, F/O A NOWICKI, P/O A FRANCZAK, Sgt H GEBICKI and Sgt A LEWKONOWICZ, the crew of Wellington aircraft Z.1181 which attacked a U-boat on 13th August, 1942, [Illegible] visited Headquarters, Coastal Command, [Illegible].

1942-09-26

DALE

Eight crews took part in an anti-submarine sweep. F/O F FIJALKOWSKI was notified that he had been Mentioned in Dispatches for meritorious service.

1942-09-27

DALE

Sgt C D[Illegible letter]ROSZEWSKI, Sgt S KIELTYKA and Sgt H PASIEKA, pilots, left on posting supernumerary to R.A.F. Polish Depot, BLACKPOOL, pending short refresher and posting to No. 18 O.T.U., BRAMCOTE.

1942-09-28

DALE

Nothing to report.

1942-09-29

DALE

F/O S R ORSKI, who had for some time been carrying out Interpreter duties at R.A.F. Station, TALBENNY, was posted from the Squadron to No. 1 R.A.F. Depot, UXBRIDGE.

1942-09-30

DALE

Seven aircraft were engaged on an operational sweep.

[hand signature: K. Czetowicz S/L]
Squadron Leader, Commanding
No. 304 (Polish) Squadron,
Royal Air Force Station, Dale.